Swath grazing: More than just frozen TV dinner for your overwintering cattle
The phrase in the above title to describe the practice of swath grazing was coined by none other than Dr. Vern Baron, a leading scientist on forage research at the federal government’s agricultural research centre in Lacombe. “Swath grazing is just like providing cattle with frozen TV dinners. And they don’t mind eating them outside,” he says explaining why this practice, believed to be tested and adopted by some 30 to 50 per cent of cattle producers, can be cost effective. D
Some good news about global warming for once — plants are speeding up their use of carbon
As carbon dioxide continues to build in the atmosphere — thanks to the burning of fossil fuels — scientists are busy figuring out how life on earth is adapting to its effects. And now, new research reinforces the idea that the world’s plant life is adjusting in a subtle, but deeply significant, way. A study, just out Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, supports a long-standing theory that some plants become more efficient at using water unde
Farm Succession Planning Steps & Checklist
Farm Succession Planning Steps and Checklist Agdex#:812 Publication Date:March 2010 Order#:10-025 Last Reviewed:August 2015 History:A companion to OMAFRA Factsheet Components of a Farm Succession Plan, Order No. 10-023 Written by:Nick Betts - Business Management Specialist Table of Contents Introduction A Step-by-Step Approach Step-By-Step Checklist Summary Other Resources Available References Disclaimer Introduction There are many different ways to define succession planning
12 Tips on Positioning for Success in Times of Economic Resets
12 Tips on Positioning for Success in Times of Economic Resets From Dr. David Kohl Here are Dr. Kohl’s notes on positioning for success in the economic reset. Even though he was addressing a US audience, we can all learn to be better farmers. 1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL AND MANAGE This is critical in business. Dr. Kohl’s Homestead Creamery made $68K this year because people kept their glass milk bottles. His milk business had a plan for folks who cherish the glass bottle
The 7 'What if?' Questions Every Rancher Should Ask
In this article, and perhaps the next, I will pose some “what if” questions that are very pertinent to profitable ranching. I will also propose some answers that I think merit your consideration. Here are seven “what if” questions and my thoughts to consider: 1. What if every replacement heifer was selected because she conceived as a yearling in the first cycle of the breeding season? Over time, your yearling heifers and your entire cowherd will become more fertile and th
